Description:Polaskia chichipe is a columnar tree-like cactus with many curved branches, up to 5 m tall. Usually with short trunk and branching freely at the top. This species has small diurnal yellowish green flowers that extend their anthesis into the following the night. Polaskia chichipe is cultivated for its edible fruits in Mexico. Stems: Cloumnar, greenish powdery-grey.Robs: 9 to 12, wavy and acute often with reddish coloration of the edges in winter.Areoles: 1 to 1.5 cm apart.Spines: Greyish up to 5 cm but usually shorter; 6-7(-8) radials and 1 longer central spine. Spines stout and fade as it the plant ages. Flowers: Flowers are smal, open cups of pinkish white or yellow-green. The anthesis is diurnal as well as partly nocturnal.Fruit: 2-3 cm edible.Phenology: The species flowers in habitat between March and June, and produces fruits between June and August.

Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Polaskia chichipe group

Polaskia chichipe(Rol.-Goss.) Backeb.: It is a columnar tree-like cactus with many curved branches, up to 5 m tall.

Polaskia chichipe f. cristatahort.: Crested form with sculptural shape and powdery grey-blue epidermis. Older crested plant can reach a considerable size (up to 2 m tall and in diameter, or more )

Notes: The genus Polaskia comprise 2 species: Polaskia chichipe which is related to to Myrtillocactus and Polaskia chende which is nearer to Stenocereus.

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Cultivation and Propagation: Polaskia chichipe grow slowly and are cold intolerant, make sure that they are not exposed to freezing temperatures or they may die. During the summer it is best to keep the plants outside where the temperature can rise to over 30 C with no harm to the plant. Furnish good drainage and use a an open and free draining mineral compost that allows therefore roots to breath. They like only a short winter's rest and should be kept almost completely dry during the winter months, If the soil is allowed to be dry for too long root loss could follow but equally the same result would occur if the plants are both wet and cold. From March onwards the plant will begin to grow and watering should be increased gradually until late May when the plant should be in full growth.Water regularly during the summer so long as the plant pot is allowed to drain and not sit in a tray of water. During hot weather you may need to water the plants more frequently so long as the plant is actively growing. From late September watering should be reduced to force the plant to go in to a state of semi dormancy, by October you should be back in to the winter watering regime.Need full sun avoiding only the harshest summer sun, if kept too dark they may become overly lush and greener and could be prone to rotting due to over watering.Feeding may not be necessary at all if the compost is fresh then, feed in summer only if the plant hasn't been repotted recently. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months.Propagation: By vegetative propagation (stem cuttings) or (usually) by seeds.Economical uses:Polaskia chichipe is cultivated in central Mexico for its edible red fruits (chichituna) and branches used as fuel wood. Cultivated plants have larger and sweeter fruits, a longer period of fruit production, and are self-compatible. Polaskia chichipe is under artificial selection in central Mexico because of its edible fruits.